SB 436 
.N6 
1909 
Copy 1 



Four-fold W 
for Trees 



M- 



By CARL BANNWART, Secretary 



•—vi:i'*i:-'::m-if;r,t 



tm] 





?ELI,EV1LI,E ELM 



NEWARK SHADE TREE COMMISSION 

1909 




A/£WAV^' 



D. of D, 
AUG 15 1916 



u- 






A Four-fold Word for Trees 

in this day of aesthetic awakening, much is 
T5till\tV being done to bring alnjut the "City Beauti- 
ful" The important cities are aU in the ^^^^^ 
procession. I'ark and Art Commissions. Architects' and indispens- 

i ..... ^ble 

Artists' Societies vie with each other m ettorts to achieve 
civic (k'velopment. It is encouraging to the ])kuiter of trees 
to note that ah sucli organizations deckire trees to be inchs- 
pensable elements in the construction of the city Ix-autifuk 
Trees su])ply a two-fokl lieautw I'.eauty of form and 
beauty of color. Craceful in outline and decked in Natures 
green, thev have a double attraction. Wdiether singly, or 
in mass, there is nothing in a city's streets so charming as 
bright green trees. 

The French hold the "Cirand Prix" as the creators of the Paris 
mo.st beautiftd cit\- — I'aris. It is declared tliat the trees of 
I'aris with their stately, growing columns, iheir overarching. 
living, moving, rustling cano])ies of green arc more potent 
elements of the citv's l)eauly than the C.recian ])il!ars of the 
Madeline, or the marble facades of the "diotel dc X'ihe." 
lUtt we have a cons])icuous exanii>le of civic art in our own 
countrv, viz: Wasb.ington, the nci.ti«>n's cai)ital. Here washingm 
again, trees are a prominent featu'-''. 'Idieir l)ackgrounil of 
green enhances the l)eauty of evcr\' statue, and frames 




NORWAY MAPLE, PIONIHR STREET 



c\'cr\- i^r'Jal Iniililnij;". The linos of wcil-iilantcl, wcll-kc'i)! 
trees wind CM-extensiw with the hi iule\;n'(K and hy their 
variet\' and 1)eant\- ehcit the athniratimi <>1 all heliolders. 
Ncwsrk Ci\-ic i)atri<)tisni and the desire to excel are atread}' at 
work l)ringiii^ ahuut in Newark the city heantifnl. These 



A FOUR-FOLD WORD FOR TREES 



sentiments liave l)ecn finding expression, for instance, in 
splendid mnnicipal and ixisiness edifices. All right-minded 
men recognize the imi)ortance of beautiful ])nblic and pri- 
vate buildings. Yet all will agree, we think, that the touch 
of nature too is needed and is even mr)re important. Indeed. 
it is the uni\-ersal judgment that the attractiveness of a 
city depends largelx' on the trees planted along its streets. 
Whether one regard^ the graceful outlines of the leafless 
trunks and liml)S. the tin)- bud hastening its ])re])aration for 
Spring, the feather\' foliage as vS])ring bursts out anew, the Always 

1 j: L' '111 -^ Beautiful 

glory 01 bummer, or the sjilendor (.)t autumnal colors when 
ever}- leaf becomes a tlower. the tree stands forth a miracle 
of beaut}- and of power. If one healthv tree is a source of 
pleasure to the observant, long rows of well-kept trees with 
their graceful arches and nodding plumes, their grateful 
shade and tlecks of sunshine, conimand attention fri;)m the 
n-iost careless. They add more, we believe, to the beautv of 
a street than elaborate architecture — giving a loveliness and 
grace otherwise unattainable. Thus the street of the poor 
man may rival that of the rich. 

Trees, because of their beauty. ])erpetuall\- vield pure 
j)leasure to the ])eople : and this more and more as the 
])eople awake to them. A\diate\-er thus adds to the stock of 
human jovs has a real usefulness. That an American citv 
should not be outdone b}- foreign cities in availing itself of 
this source of contentment seems beyond (|uestion. As 
President Kliot pu.ts it: "The final aim of government bv the 
people for the ])eople is to increase the satisfaction and the 
joys of lite to the highest ])ossible degree for the greatest 
num1)er of persons — to increase, that is. the iiumber. varietv 
and intensit}- ot those sensations and en-iotions which gi\'e 
imiocent an<l fre(|uentl}- recurring ])leasure." .Vnd that is 
precise!}- the kind of [pleasure giver, b}- trees, a pleasure 




ELMS. NORTH FIFTH STREET 



A FOUR-FOLD WORD FOR TREES 



"innocent and fre(|uently recurring."* To pass even one 
noble tree every day in going from the home to the work- 
shop makes an appreciable addition to the satisfactions of 
the citizen. 

The catalogue of the tree's utilities may 

i^Calti) easily be enlarged. Mr. W. A. Alurrill, in 
lUdietin "^O,-) issued by Cornell University, 
contends that "trees add to the healthfulness of a city by 
cooling and purifying the air. Ijcsides cutting otT the direct 
and reflected rays of the sun, foliage, by evaporating large 
quantities of water from its surface, exercises a marked 
effect on the temperature ; and the reduction of the tem- 
perature in this way is greatest on dry, hot days when such 
reduction is most needed. Leaves also absorb impure and 
hurtful gases and manufacture the oxygen need.ed by us 
humans for respiration. Circulation of the air. due to un- 
equal temperature, is likewise promoted by trees i)roperly 
pruned and arranged ; while the air of basements and cellars 
is rendered less humid l^v the removal of su.rplus water from 
the surrounding soil through the me(lium of ro')ts and 
foliage." 

This ap])raisal of the tree as a sanitar}- factor is confirmed 
by the resolution ol-' the Xew ^'ork Count}' Atedical Society, 
(juoted by C. Alulford Ro])in^on in "The Improvement of 



Trees 
Diminish 



Cities and Towns."" The resolution follow.-^ : — "Resolved. Peath 
that one ot the mo^t ettectn-e means tor mitigatmg tne 
intense heat of the v^ummer months and diminishing tlie 
death rate among children is tiie culti\'ation of an adequate 
numl)er of trees in the streets." The sanitary value of the 
tree is illustrated further l)y the fact that the bill wlucli was 
presented to the Legislature in 1S9M. to give the care of the 
street trees of Xew \'ork Cit)' to the Lark Commission, was 
drawn by a physician, a member of the State Loartl of 








^ii^a& 




RED AND SUGAR M. 



Trees 

Vilalize 
the Air 



Health, .'ind was iiitniduccd as a purely saniiar\ measure. 
Ti)e air we lireathe eontains d.wi^cu. earlxuiie aeid gas, 
and ozone. Tiie su|)])Iv nf nwgen is dcim mslranU' ^'ener- 
ate<i 1)\- the plant life of the i.;iol)e. The earlxmie acid i.;-as. 
hurt Hi! to animal and liel]diil lo x'egetahle life, is al)sorhed 
])}■ the |)ianl:-. and the ])ro|)er atmospheric hakmce thius 
m.aintaineci. Tlie lari;e percentage of ozone in forest air, 
and the scarcity of it in the treeless streets where crowded 
dweilings ahonnd. denionstrai.es tliat this ionic and reeuper- 
ati\e element <>i the air is due [o the presence of trees and 
tile lack i^i' it to their ahsence. The ;iii' in tlie \'icinit\' of 




ES, MONTGLAIR AVENUE 



trees eontains less baeteria and dust-particles than doe-, tlie 
air outside of tree influence, which again demonstrates that 
the presence of trees decreases the total id" atmospheric im- 
purities. It is ])ertineut to note here that a local varnish 
manufacturer de])ends upon his row of well-kept trees to 
screen much of the dust from tlie air Ix-fore it enters his 
windows to injure his ])ro(luct. 

Streets well j^lanted with trees invite out of door life by 
day and night, and the ..ut-.lo()r life thus induced in uo 
small degree thwarts the grim S])ectre of tuljerculosis. now 
so serious a menace to ever\" invli\ idual in our cities. 



Trees 

and Life 
Outdoors 



10 A FOUR-FOLD WORD FOR TREES 



Courts 
Atfirm 
This 



Trees are among the fir^t tilings which im- 
l^CGltp i'res> a stranger in fnrnnng judgment as to 
faints wlietlier a cit\- is. or is not. a good ])lace to live 
in.. < )ne need not l)e a lover of nature to ap- 
preciate the realty value of the refre>hing shade of a r(nv 
of street trees when the sun is l)lazing. Wdiat relief, what 
rest to v/eary eyes is the \'erdm-e of trees after the glaring 
pavements ant! shining windows of a bare street — and how 
desirable then becomes a residence on the verdure covered 
street. These are eviclent truths, and tliat realt_\' values 
api)reciate in conse([nence is e(|ually apjiarent. 

The courts recognize trees a^ an asset to the prnpcrt}' on. 
or in front of which the_\- stand. 'Idiis real estate value of 
trees has been cnnrirmed bv numerdUs cuurt decisions. In 
man\' cases the churls ha\e decided that the destruction of 
a street sluule tree detracted from the \-alne of the a1)ntler's 
projiertv ti* the amtimit <.f ."s-'id. $•"''"'. Sbi". In cases where 
several trees fronting the same- i)r<iperl_\- haw been destroyed 
b\- illuminating gas. the courts ha\e awai'ded Sl-"i" to ^"iOO 
])er tree to the abutter. 
ii.oon Trof. T. j. I'.urrill. of the I'niverslty .if illinnis. cites the 

tor Four ..." . , , " - . ,,^ , 

Tr<-,-s iMlldWing Histance nt the uioik'\ \'alue i>\ trees: — I wo lots 

on the same street were dfiere.l lur sale. These Ints were 
essentiall\' siinilar in all resjiects save thai in une case there 
were four trees, about t\\ent)-live years old. Twn of these 
trees wei'e in the street and two on the lot inside of the 
street. In the case of the other lot, the only trees (two of 
ihem ) were on the street, and these were less than Iialf the 
age of the others. 'Idie prices asked for the lots were 
resi)eeti\-el\' S".',.';!Mi and Sl,'>i!0. A inan wishing to build 
comi)ared tlie two loi^ uml decided in fa\-or of the $"-\.'i(M) 
one, the lot n;'iinel\' with the four trees — $1, (>(•<> for four 
trees, or we miglit sav for two trees. This lot had sixt\-six 




BLACK-, «ALNUT. BROAD STREET 



. cl, un acnau. ,1k ne, ,n-..fu f.r ,w.n,y-.ve annual 
,,:(„,,„„„„„,, chaps have h.™ S-.':.. An,U.aohon,„ 



12 A foi;r-fold word for trees 



woulil !ia\-t' recci\'0(l more care than (lid tlie four trees 
dnriii;;' t!ie wliole rif tlie iweiity-tive year^. v";^!.'!!!!! u, "$'*.'■> — 
the contrast is instriict!\'e ! N'et there are t(>-ila_\- ])ers()ns of 
inteUii^'enee who, in !ool<in,n' forward to resnlts. will prefer 
to trust the corn." 
Small It i> a MTiall ta>k to i)!ant a tree. Idle -^uljsequent atten- 

Expense ^j^^^^ j^ .^^^4 Uirge. Tlic trccs once started help theniseh'es as 
scarcelv ;ui\-lhin.t;' else of moment to u,> ever does. The}' 
i^'row while we -lee]). Thie}- drink the svinshine ;ind coni- 
])onnd theii' own lood out of the refuse gases of the air and 
the water\' solution c>f the soil. ( )ut of these inert, inattrac- 
ti\e. hareh- reci_),i;'nized snhstances, 1)\- a nuracle of transfonu- 
ation there comes forth that rhin^' <u' life and l)eaut\' — 
wluch is also a thin,:^' of tanL;'ii)le money value — a tree. 

"Seritiment is three-fourths of human life," 
PtltriOtiSni it has l)een said. A moment's reflection de- 
monstrates the ti'iith of the sa_\'ing. Lo\-e of 
home, love of friends, lo\ e oi countrw lo^ e of lihertx' — 
sentiment^ like tliese are the great motive forces that irio\'e 
men ti) deeds of high achie\ement. And nt -t the least among 
these forces is the sentiiuent of patriotism — the lo\-e c)f 
countrx'. To what ettect this sentimeiu lias wrou.ght m the 
hearts of men, let Concord and Lexington, \alle_\- lM)rge and 
.Monmouth, 'i'renton and ('iett_\shnrg ;m(l .\])])i nuatox hear 
witness. To \vliat it. can achieve in terms of dollars and 
cent--, lei the incalculahle materia.l \\eahli of this great nation, 
oits|,iring of i)atriotisni. give testimony. 

Xow patriotism — love of countr_\- — is ))ut love of home 
writ large. Whatever fosters loxe of home fosters ])atriot- 
ism. ddie home in and alxnit which hCcUity dwells — material 
l)eaut\\ moral heaut\' — is the home th.at wins and h'llds the 
heari. That, tlierefore, wh.ich heaulifies tlie home — whether 
the home sfcml. tlie home citw the home state or the Iii.)nie 




WHITE OAK, MT. PROSPECT AVENUE 



14 



A FOUR-FOLD WORD FOR TREES 



nation — Ijcconic^ tlie nni>e ami liand-niaiden of patriotism, 
Xo\\- trees l)eautify. 'I'he l)oy l)rou.i;lit nj) in a countr_\' home- 
stead, overlinnj; Ijy stately elms, ai)])roached thronyh nv 
avenue of maples or lindens, and ha\in,^' ;i door\ar<l hedged 
about witii lil'u's. carries with him while he lives and 
\vhere"er he wanders the jiictu.re of that l)e;uit\- and the lt.>ve 
of that home, ihiw the old homestead abides in the heart! 
i low for !o\-c of it will not a man gi\e all that he hath. e\'cn 
his life! 

.\nd as with the homestead, so with the home citw Trees 
I)i';uitif\ tlu- eitw That which l.)eautifies the cil\' of our 




MAIM.KS. ELEVfcNTH ST AND GOULD AVE. 

lookiiii- South an Elt-venih Street 



A FOUR-FOLD WORD FOR TREES 15 



home endears tb.at city to us, enlarges and deepens our love 
for it — (lee[)ens and enlarges, that is to say. civic patriotism. 
The centurv old oaks and ma'|)les of ( )xf()rd. no less than 
its graceful towers and scholastic memories, gave the old 
City of Schools its grip on the love of Cecil Rhodes. The 
towering elms of Xew I laven and Cambridge hold for ave 
the hearts of the Men of Vale and of Harvard. The catalpas 
and maples of Princeton have had their part in inspiring the 
Sons of Nassau to cheer with such vigor, to [)attle with Mich 
might, to rememl)er with such love, to EXDi )\\' with such 
loyalty and liberal it}-. 

These feelings of pride in and tender affection for one's 
cit\'. born of long association with and intere:^t in the com- 
munitw and fostered In' the l)earit}' of the cilys thm^ough- 
fare< and buildings, are valual)le assets. The wise city will 
seek to inculcate and conserve such sentiments. If from no 
other motiw than municijml self-interest, cix'ic patriotism 
should l)e culti\-ated. The\- who will do most for their city 
in even material things are the_\' who love their cit\- most. 
( )ur i)arks, our lil)raries, our schools, our churches, our 
hosjMtals, oiu' or])hanages, our ho])ed for wharf fronts — in 
a word, all public benefactions will be brought in directh' 
or indirectly b\' men who /.);'<' their cit\'. .As a mere materia! 
investment, then, if for no higher reason, make Newark 
beautiful with nol)le buildings and splendid parks and 
thoroughfares awave with trees. So shall the citizens low 
her the more, so shall the\' do exploits in her service. 



In view of the foregoing, it is e\-ident that an enlightened FonrGood 
interest in the ])romotion of the beautw the health, the realtv 
values of our city, commends to civic patriotism the main- 
tenance, protection and increase (-f the trees of Newark. 



Reasons 
for Trees 



LIBRfiRV OF CONGRESS 



"0 000 925 649 







LINCOLN AVENUE 



BOHDEN. PFIIHTER 



